Computer Audio Software

Computer Audio: Musical Applications of Digital Signal Processing
Music 147 / ICS 180 / ECE 195 / ACE 277

University of California, Irvine
Winter Quarter 2004


UCI Labs for Computer Audio Research

The Arts Media Center in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts has several Macintosh Power PCs available with Max/MSP for audio synthesis and processing; ProTools LE for audio editing, mixing, and processing; Digital Performer for audio mixing and processing; iTunes for MP3 encoding and playing; etc. The lab is open to members of this class. The lab hours are:

The Music Department's "Accompaniment Lab" in the Room 194C of the AITR Building (the same building as the Arts Media Center) has two Macintosh G4s available with Max/MSP for programming audio synthesis and processing; ProTools FREE for audio editing, mixing, and processing; Digital Performer for audio mixing and processing; Audacity for audio processing; iTunes for MP3 encoding and playing; and Code Warrior for C programming. Members of this class can check out a key to the lab during business hours of the Music Department (Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm).

The Engineering Department's Instructional Computing Facility in Room 3151 of the Engineering Gateway Building has some Windows software necessary for audio work, including Audacity for audio editing, mixing, and processing; iTunes for MP3 encoding; and Visual Studio and the PortAudio libraries for C/C++ programming. The lab is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may need to obtain an access card to get into the room when it is not staffed.

For research projects that require special audio or music capabilities, the Realtime Experimental Audio Laboratory (REALab) in Room 216 of the Music and Media Building is available for use, by arrangement with the professor.


Audio Synthesis Programming Languages

Max/MSP for Macintosh and Windows XP
Computer music programming environment; free for 30-day demo period, and also available at discounted student prices, including a specially-priced one-time 9-month student authorization

Pd for Windows, Linux, or Irix
Computer music programming environment; freeware


Audio Editors

Audacity for Max OS (9/X), Windows (98/Me/2000/XP), and Linux
Audio editor/mixer; freeware

ProTools Free for Macintosh OS9 and Windows 98/Me only
Audio editor/mixer; freeware


MP3 Encoders

iTunes for Mac OS X and Windows 2000/XP
Full-featured CD-ripper, CD-burner, MP3 player/encoder, and audio file converter; freeware

BladeEnc 0.94.1 for Linux
Simple and effective MP3 encoder; freeware


MP3 Players

iTunes for Mac OS X and Windows 2000/XP
Full-featured CD-ripper, CD-burner, MP3 player/encoder, and audio file converter; freeware

QuickTime for Macintosh and Windows
All-purpose media player; freeware

Windows Media Player for Macintosh and Windows
All-purpose media player; freeware

WinAmp Player for Windows
All-purpose media player; freeware

FreeAmp 2.1.1 for Linux


This page was last modified on January 4, 2005.
Christopher Dobrian
dobrian@uci.edu